Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA DC LEAF EXTRACTS FOR HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY.

Preethu P. John*, Nancy Jose and Dr. Sr. Betty Carla

ABSTRACT

Simarouba glauca DC, (SG) also known as Paradise tree is indigenous to South or Central America. The bark and leaf extract of Simarouba is well known for its different types of pharmacological properties. The ethanolic and chloroform extract of Simarouba glauca DC were tested for their hepatoprotective activity against Paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like SGPT, SGOT and ALP. Pretreatment with Silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o.), Chloroform extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and ethanol extract (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) of leaves of S.glauca for 5 days has significantly reduced the elevated serum enzyme level when compared with that of the hepatoxic control group. Both chloroform and ethanol extracts of leaves of S.glauca reduced the histological changes caused by paracetamol. Also it could be concluded that the hepatoprotective potential may be due to its potent antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Simarouba glauca, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Hepatoprotectivity.